Sabarimala Temple Reopens After 'Purification Rituals' Following Entry Of Two Women

The Sree Ayyappa Swamy Temple in Sabarimala has opened for devotees after it was briefly shut for purification following the entry of two women in the santurom of the shrine earlier in the day.??

Kandararu Rajeevaru, the chief priest of the Sabarimala temple had shut the shrine for nearly a hour after consultation with the erstwhile royal family of Pandalam, the custodians of the temple.

AFP

As per the traditions of the Sabarimala temple, women between the age of 10-50 are not allowed entry in the shrine as the presiding deity Lord Ayyappa is regarded as a celibate.

However the Supreme Court in November ordered the lifting the centuries old ban, and allowed women of all ages to offer prayers there.

BCCL

But the order has faced stiff resistance from a section of Hindus who have been leading the protests, blocking any women aged between 10-50 from entering the temple. BJP and RSS which had initially welcomed the SC order have since changed their stands and have been in the forefront of the protests against the order.

?Since November dozens of women including Right to Pray activist and Bhumata Brigade chief Trupti Desai had tried to visit the shrine, but were turned away by the protesters.

BCCL

Even Bindu and Kanakadurga, the two women who made history on Wednesday by becoming the first woman of menstruating age to reach the shrine were turned away last week.

But on their second attempt, the two women began their climb at 12:30 am on the hill path and offered prayers at the shrine by 3:45 am.

After it came to light that the "tradition have been breached" the chief priest shut the temple for a cleansing ceremony.

AFP

Kerala Devaswom Minister Kadakampally, Surendran said the move of the priest to temporarily close the sanctum for purification rituals amounted to violation of the Supreme Court verdict. The Devaswom Board also has sought a reply from the priest for his actions.?

Meanwhile many right-wing groups have gone on a rampage across Kerala following the women entry in Sabarimala.?

REUTERS

Some fringe groups have called for a shut down in Kerala on Thursday, which is also supported by the BJP.